You Are My Sunshine

Aloha.

This song is Grandpa's favorite. And when I went to sing it to Ava (7-3-09) she told me it wasn't exactly right. "It's like this daddy." So I grabbed the camera to capture it. I love the high notes. This just filled me with such love and joy tonight... thought I'd share. I love you Ava. Thanks for such an amazing week.

Furlough Bowling!

Aloha.

So for day 2 of my furlough week, Ava and I met my friend Gavin and his daughter Elena at the bowling alley. Ava bowled well. So did Elena. Me? Meh, not so much. The first game. The second was better. And Gavin looked like a pro. Well, you'll see.... enjoy.


Gotta wear the special shoes. Good thing they're velcro!

"Cheese! I'm goin' bowling!!"

Elena's a little older. The girls got on famously and had a great time!

Here's the wide shot... that's Gavin playing with his shoe. :)

Ava & Elena playing "puppy." It was cute! And no, it doesn't mean it's time for a puppy for Ava!

Dad & daughter.

Out of nowhere Ava came to stand by me and put her hand in mine, lacing her fingers with my fingers. It was really sweet.

So tiny!

Then she wanted to get behind the lens. Her first shot? Daddy.

Then she went for the artistic shots.

As I was capturing her on my mobile, she got me. This reminds of pictures from my dad's collection! Ha!

"Cheese!"

"Hi!"

I was apparently giving Elena my "concern" face... or something. She was telling me about her shoe bothering her foot. Ava documented it.

Getting goofy for the camera.

Posing? (Ava passed the camera to Elena)

Awwww....

Yep, there's me still.

"My turn daddy!"

Action shot!

"Ok dude, time for a pro to take over."

Here are Ava's action shots. She sat down right next to the lane.

So that was the early part of our day. I'll go through the rest of the photos from the birthday party and post those next. We're having an amazing time this week. Well, I am. I hope Ava is too.

Mahalo for stopping by. Cheers.

Furlough=no money=bad ... Unless you have Ava!!

Aloha.

So when I learned that I had to take a week off, unpaid, I was worried. I quickly realized it was actually a great opportunity to spend a whole week with Ava. So today is the beginning! Well, last night was, but she got home from a camping trip with mama... you can imagine how tired she was :) But she had a great time with mama, so that's terrific. Anyway, we woke up this morning and she was lovey right away. She rolled over and said "I have never snuggled you in a long time. I wanted you! Good morning Daddy!" It was amazing. Then we had a special "brethrist" to kick off the week, at her favorite spot: Food Dance. Of course she saw one of her 2 favorite bar tenders, Ryan. Then came home and goofed off... now it's off to the pool with Nick, Samantha and Caleb. So here's a few pics from our morning goof-off!!

"Talk to the hand Daddy." j/k...we were doing close ups, and I just love the little mole on her hand. So cute.

Her ear ... I have a few pics of that little sound receiver when she was a baby. She even held her hair me!

My little brown eyed girl.

The sun framed her perfectly.

Pure, childish joy.

If this doesn't make you smile, good luck to ya :)

"Mad."

"Aw shucks dad."

"Sad."

What a little actress.

So there you have it. We're in for a great week with lots of fun planned, and some yet to be thought of... can't wait!! I'll try to post often this week, as we do stuff. I'd like to even put up some of the latest Ava-isms she's come up with. Enjoy your day, cause Ava says so.

Mahalo and Aloha wau ia 'oe.

Cheers.

Happy Father's Day

Aloha.

100 years ago today somebody said "Hey, dad's are pretty cool." Thanks to whoever said that. Because of you, my little Nene (pronounced nay-nay - it's Hawaiian for goose. like silly goose - a term mama and I coined in -- sit down -- Hawai'i!!) ... rolled over this morning at about 10 minutes to 7:00 and said "Daddy, it's a special day day today. Happy Father's Day. Wanna snuggle?"

Let that sink in for a minute... she's 4! And remembered first thing this morning. *sigh* ... Love that little person.

So my day started with that. We made/had brethrist (breakfast) and watched CBS Sunday Morning. During the Barack Obama segment, Ava says "That's Barack Obama. He's the president. I want to meet him daddy." If only it were that simple. Hey Secret Service, if you eavesdrop so much, my 4 year old daughter would love to meet your boss.

So then we went to my 'rents. Where Grandpa and Grandma made us lunch - chicken on the grill with salad and pasta. Mmmm-mmmm. Then went swimming. And had dinner. Then bed.

All in all... amazing for a random Sunday. Happy Father's Day everyone.


Playing with Uncle Doug's pet gecko "Toke."








Tired out!

Bowling part 2

Aloha.

So back to the bowling alley. Let's see how we're all doing...

Waiting is always better with a friend!


"What? Get that camera outta here!"


"Cheese!"


"Forget bowling. Now... We dance!" (I didn't realize my kid looked like a baseball player here! Lovely)


I was winning at one point... but it didn't last.


"Ring around the rosy..."


"...we all fall DOWN!"


Sonya says Zoey wasn't beating Ava up... you be the judge. Ha! ;-)





Looks to me like Zoey walks away ... "1 more win on my record chumps!"


Alas, we're all friends still by the end of it. Albeit I can't keep my eyes open apparently!


And for Ava's 1st bowling experience, mama even showed up! And Zoey just loved her!


"Horsey, horsey!"

So there you have it. Bowling. Thanks to Sonya and Zoey for the idea. We had a great time. I'm trying to take my camera with me wherever we go. Hopefully I'll get more pics up often. We love to go to playgrounds. Maybe I'll capture some of those moments too. Much love all.

Cheers.